View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Agnes?

2. Who has the union groups' charters revoked?

3. What do Mike and Mary decide about their boarding business?

4. What incident in Pittsburgh upsets Dobie?

5. How does George's death affect Dobie and Julie's financial situation?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why voting for the Socialist Party would be in line with Mike's concerns about the mill at this point.

2. Where do Mike and Mary move to at the end of Part 2, Chapter 10? What do they have to do to get extra money now that there are no boarders?

3. In Chapter 1 of Part 4, which character becomes the third generation's main character of the story line? Describe this character.

4. Who owns the hotel in East Pittsburgh where Dobie stays? Why is this a good thing for Dobie? How does Dobie make money with his electrical skills?

5. At the beginning of Part 2, Chapter 6, what are Mike and Mary doing to make extra money? Who is giving them pointers?

6. At the end of Pat 2, Chapter 14, what happens after George goes out drinking the day before Anna's baby's christening?

7. Who comes in from New York for George's funeral? What feelings does Dobie express about living and working in Braddock to Mikie? What does this once again say about Dobie's resolve?

8. What is the extent of Dobie's involvement with the union activities at the end of Part 4, Chapter 11 ? Explain.

9. At the beginning of Part 2, Chapter 11, what ongoing crisis is taking place in Mike and Mary's household? What do Mike and Mary not agree on as a resolution to their problem?

10. What brings about labor problems at the mill? What does Johnny do as a result of the unrest?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Just as each generation of immigrant does not remain static, the mill's work environment changes as well. Explore the metaphor between each generation of immigrant and the work environment. What does each immigrant contribute to the growth of the mill?

Essay Topic 2

What specific benefits are realized by each succeeding generation, beginning with George's journey to America?

Essay Topic 3

Which main character's story is told in Part I? What are this character's expectations for a life in America? Are the expectations realistic?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 955 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample